Signal devices



Oct- 7, 1 5 J. L. BONANNO 2,855,583

SIGNAL DEVICES Filed Oct. 10, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fm-3.2.. M

INVENTOR /7 27 1a. 3 z/OSEPHZ. Bo/vn/wvo BY /7/ Oct. 7, 1958 J. L. BONANNO 2,855,583

SIGNAL DEVICES Filed Oct. 10, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR (/OSEPH Z. Bo/vmwvo United States Patent C) SIGNAL DEVICES Joseph L. Bonanno, South Orange, N. J., assignor to The Lionel Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application October 10, 1956, Serial No. 615,091

Claims. (Cl. 340-84) This invention relates to signalling devices and more particularly to an improved electrically operated visual and audible signalling device that is useful, among other things, as a railroad crossing caution signal.

Many railroad crossing signal devices for toy railroads and other purposes have been proposed, but these prior devices have been relatively complicated and expensive and in many cases were difficult to assemble, repair and maintain. It is therefore one object of the invention to provide an improved signalling device particularly useful for model railroads which overcomes the difiiculties heretofore encountered and is characterized by its simplicity, dependability and low cost. Through an improved arrangement and combination of elements, the device in accordance with the invention may be quickly and easily assembled in production and disassembled for maintenance and repair.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a novel and improved device for sounding an audible signaland at the same time controlling the operation of electric circuits for producing visual or other signals simultaneously with the audible signal.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a novel and improved signalling device utilizing rotary motion for mechanically actuating bell ringing means and opening and closing electrical circuits in synchronism therewith.

A still further object of the invention resides in the provision of an improved railroad crossing signal having signal controlling means removably secured therein for sounding an audible signal and simultaneously therewith alternately energizing visual caution signals.

A still further object of the invention resides in a novel and improved railroad crossing signal particularly useful for model railroads.

A further object resides in the provision of a novel and improved signal device.

The above and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings forming part of this application.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a railroad crossing signal for model railroads in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is an elevational view with a portion of the base broken away along the line 22 of Figs. 1, 3 and 5 to show the control mechanism in accordance with the invention;

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2 taken along the line 3-3 of Figs. 2, 5 and 6;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken along the line 44 of Figs. 2, 5 and 6;

Figure 5 is an inverted plan view of the underside of the base with the control mechanism removed;

Figure 6 is a plan view of the control mechanism removed from the housing;

Patented Oct. 7, 1958 Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of the control mechanism shown in Fig. 6; and

Figure 8 is a circuit diagram of the control mechanism and the signal circuits operated thereby.

As pointed out above the signalling device in accord ance with the invention provides an improved arrangement of elements for simultaneously producing an audible signal and making and breaking one or more electric circuits preferably utilized for the control of visual signals such as signal lamps and the like. These ends are attained in the illustrated embodiment of the invention by the utilization of rotary motion to mechanically actuate a bell ringing mechanism. The bell ringing mechanism in turn cooperates with electrical contacting means for opening and closing electric circuits connected with the contacting means. The improved cooperation of these elements provides a highly stable, dependable and inexpensive bell ringing device and circuit controller wherein the operation of the audible signals are automatically coordinated with the actuation of electrical circuits. In addition, the operating or control mechanism can be formed as an individual unit that enables its use in a variety of applications and facilitates manufacture and repair.

More specifically, and with reference to the drawings, the railroad crossing signal is generally denoted by the numeral 10 and comprises a hollow base 11, a column 12 extending upwardly from the base, a pair of signal lamps 13 and 14 supported at the end of a cross arm 15 secured to the column 12 and a crossing sign 16 extending from the top of the column 12.

The base 11 of the signal 10 is secured to a mounting plate 17 of metal or other suitable material which, as will be shown, carries the signal control mechanism. The control unit may be fastened to a table or other surface by a pair of cars 18 attached to the mounting plate and extending beyond the perimeter thereof.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention the column 12 and cross arm 15 are preferably made of a conductive material and one contact of each lamp 14 and 14 is connected to the cross arm and column. The other contacts of each lamp are to separate wires 19 and 20 which extend through the column 12 and are connected to a pair of lugs 21 and 22 secured to and insulated from the inside of the base 11 as shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 5. The column 12 is held in the base 11 by a spring clip 23 electrically contacting the column and connected by a lead 24 to :1 lug 25 also carried by the base 11 in substantially the same manner as the lugs 21 and 22. As will be shown, the signalling unit carried by the mounting base 17 is provided with spring contacts which automatically engage and electrically contact the lugs 21, 22 and 25 for operation of the signal lamps l3 and 14.

The control unit'or mechanism including the audible signalling bell 26 is carried entirely by the mounting plate 17. The conformation of this plate is shown more clearly in Fig. 7 and includes a fiat plate part 27, three upwardly extending tabs 28, 29 and 30 along one edge thereof and an L-shaped bracket member having a vertical leg 31 and outwardly extending horizontal leg 32, secured to the opposing edge. The outer edge of the leg 32 includes a downwardly extending tab 33 having an opening 33' therein aligned with the opening 29' in the tab 29. These openings receive a pair of screws 34- extending through slotted openings 35 in the base 11 for securing the base to the mounting plate, as shown in Figure 1.

The motive means forming part of the control unit is generally denoted by the numeral 36 and is disposed within the bell 26. Both the motive means and the bell are attached to the mounting plate 17 at the central recessed opening 37. More specifically, the motive means 36 includes a winding 38 having a central core 39 proextends through a central opening in the cup 42, the

central opening 26 of the bell and the opening 37 of the mounting plate. The bottom end of the reduced "section 41 is hollowed out at 41 and the edge 'ofthis "section is rolled outwardly as indicated at 43 to secure "the Cell and bell in position on themountin'gplate.

The upper end of the winding or coil 38 isprovided with a circularmember 4'4 ofre'silie'nt material such as rubber or the like, having three upwardly extending inclined fingers 45 formed integrally therewith. An impeller assembly pivotally carried by the "core 39 includes a cup-like base 46 and an impeller'50 and forms the rotary element of "themotive'mea'ns. The impeller base 46 has a diameter somewhat 'larg'er than the lower cup 42 and extends downwardly in overlapping relationship therewith. It is rotatably'supported by means of a centrally disposedimpeller shaft 47 rotatably received within an opening 48 in the core'39. Theupper end of the impeller shaft has an enlarged portion 49 extending upwardly through central openings in the impeller base 46 and the impeller 50 and the upper end of this shaft part 49 is rolled over as at 49 to secure the impeller shaft 47, the impeller base 46 and the impeller 50 one to the other.

The impeller 50 in this embodiment of the invention is an essentially fiat member-having three upwardly extending tabs or impelling means 50' which engage and operate the hammer lever 51 as the impeller is rotated. Rotation of theimpeller is effected by the cooperation of the inclined bosses 45 with the impeller base 46 when the coil 38 is energized by an alternating current. It will be observedthat the impeller base 46 cooperates with the cup 42 of magnetic materialto form a closed magnetic circuit.

With this arrangement and when the coil is energized by alternating current, the impeller base will be repeatedly drawn downwardly to compress the inclined fingers 45 and then released. This action imparts rotation-to the impeller base in successive increments and produces continuous rotation of the impeller assembly.

Rotation of the impeller assembly operates the hammer arm 51 which includes an operating-lever 52, an arm 53 carrying the bell hammer 54 and a switch arm 55. The hammer arm 52 is pivotally mounted on a lever post 57, the lever ,post 57 -is in turn carried onthe top side of the leg or tab 32 ofthe mounting plate 17. More specifically, the bracketmember 32 carries on its underside an elongated plate 58 of insulating material. This plate 58 is held in position by the lower end 57' of the lever post 57 which extends through the bracket member 32, a cooperating-opening in the insulating plate 58 and an opening in a Fahnstock clip 59. A second rivet 60 provided with an insulating washer 61 extends through the plate 32, then through the insulating plate 58 and an opening in a second Fahnstockclip 62 to hold the latter in position'on the underside of the plate 58. The hammer arm -51 is pivotally secured to the top side of the lever post 57 by-means of a screw 63 and it is urged in a clockwise position by a torsion spring 64 surrounding the lever post 57 and engaging the hammer arm.

In the operation of the device thus far described, energy is applied to the motive means or vibrator 36 by means of the Fahnstock clips 59 and 62. The clip'62 is connected to one side of the coil 38 While the other side of the coil and-theFahnstock'c-lip 59 are grounded'to the mounting plate 17. When energy is applied to the coil theimpeller 50 will. rotate and the tabs 50 will successively engage the operating lever 52 of the hammer arm 51 tomove it counterclockwise, as viewed in Fig. 6 and then release it to cause the hammer 54 to strike the bell '26 under theaction of the spring 64.

lnorder to'prevent the bell hammer 54-from resting against the bell each time it is released and damp the vibrations, the contacting arm 55 of the hammer lever 51 is arranged to cooperate with a pair of electric contact members 65 and 66. These members are carried by the insulating plate 58 and having upwardly extending contacting portions 65' and 66' disposed on opposite sides of the contacting lever .55. With this arrangement and with the hammer arm 51 in a position of rest the contact arm 55 bears against the contact member 65' and the latter holds thehammer head 54 in spaced relationship to the bell 26, .as shownin the full line position of Fig. 6. Thus, when the hammer arm '52'is moved in a counterclockwise position as shown in this figure and then released,'the hammer 54 will strike the bell, whereupon the contact member 65' will immediately move it out of contact with the bell.

Referring again to Fig. 6, as the impeller rotates to displace the hammer arm 51 in counterclockwise position, the contact arm -will'move into firm engagement with the'co-ntact spring 66' and 'upon release movesinto-electrical contact with'the'contacting spring as previously described. Since the hammer arm 51 is electrically coupled to one side of the electrical circuit, it will alternately energize and deenergize'the contact assemblies 65 and 66 and in turn control electrical circuits connected with these contact assemblies.

In the present embodiment of the invention the contact assemblies'65 and 66'each include outwardly extending resilient lugs 67 and 68 which electrically contact the lugs .21 and 22 carried bythe base 11 of the signal 10. In addition, asthird resilient contacting lug 69, electrically connected with the Fahnsto'ck "clip 62 engages and electrically contacts a ing 25 connected withthe column 12 and one side of eachlamp '1-3Jand 14.

With this circuit, as the hammer arm '51 is oscillated to cause the contact arm 55 thereofto alternately "engage the contacting members 65' and 66, energy'will be applied alternately to the lamps 13 and 14 'OftheLsignalling device (see Fig. 8) and simultaneously therewith the'bell 26 will be sounded by the hammer .54.

In the crossing signal asdescribedabove, the operating or contact mechanism forms a separate and complete unit that maybe withdrawn from the base 11 simply by the removal of two screws. 'Moreover, since this control'unit is a separate assembly, it can be tested and adjusted'independently of the rest of the apparatus, thus 'greatlyfacilitating manufacturing and repair procedures. Insertion of the unit within the base 11 automatically couples the control circuits to the signal lamps 13 and 14 to complete the device.

While-the inventionhas been'illustrated and described in connection with a crossing signal for model or toy railroads, the control unit may be used for other purposes requiring the sounding of an audible signal and at the same time controlling the operation of electric circuits.

Although onlyone embodiment of the invention has been illustarted and described, it is apparent that modifications, alterations and changes may be made without departing from the true scope and spirit thereof.

What is claimed is:

l. A signalling device comprising rotary motivemeans, at least one impeller driven by said motive means,a bell, a spring loaded oscillatory lever mechanically actuated by said impeller, a bell hammer carriedby said lever, said lever-being moved in one direction and againstthe action of said spring to move the hammer away from said bell and then released to permit the hammer to strike the bell, an electricalcontact arm carried by and movable with said lever, and a pair of resilient electrical contact means positioned in cooperating relationship with said contact arm, said arm alternately contactingsaid contact means to alternately make and break electric circuits connected with said arm and contacts.

2. A signalling device according 'toclaim 1 wherein said bell is cup-shaped and said motor is disposed within said bell and comprises a coil having a centrally disposed core, inclined fingers of resilient material secured to one end of said coil and a cupshaped impeller base carrying said impeller and rotatably supported by said core for movement toward and away from said core under the action of said coil and whereby alternate energization and deenergization of said coil imparts rotary motion to said impeller base and impeller carried thereby.

3. A signalling device according to claim 2 wherein one of said resilient contacts cooperates with said lever to move said bell hammer out of contact with said bell immediately after the hammer strikes said bell and wherein said electric circuits each includes an electric lamp, each of said lamps being individually and successively energized and deenergized simultaneously with the operation of the bell.

4-. A railrcad crossing signal comprising a bell, an oscillatory lever carrying striking means for said bell, and a contact arm, a pair of electric contact means alternately engaged by said contact arm and a pair of signal lamps connected with said arm and contact means, whereby oscillation of said lever will operate said bell striking means and alternately and individually energize and tie-energize said signal lamps, wherein said lever is oscillated by a rotary vibrating motor carrying impellers periodically engaging said lever.

5. A railroad crossing signal according to claim 4 wherein said lever is spring loaded in a direction to move said striking means toward said bell and at least one of said contact means is resiliently mounted and engages said arm to counteract the action of said spring to hold said striking means in spaced relationship to said bell, said impellers successively engaging said lever to move it against the action of said spring and then release said lever to rapidly in the reverse direction under the action of said spring and bring said striking means sharply in contact with said bell, said striking means then being immediately withdrawn by said one contact means to permit the bell to resonate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 656,43 r Vogel Aug. 21, 1900 1,004,383 Davis Sept. 26, 1911 1,151,665 Crow Aug. 31, 1915 1,378,421 Miller May 17, 1921 2,137,196 Sampson Nov. 15, 1938 2,175,025 Hooven Oct. 3, 1939 

